European club readying eight-figure transfer offer for Norwich City star | OneFootball

Norwich City's Borja Sainz is a wanted man ahead of this summer's transfer window

La Liga outfit Villarreal are the latest club to be linked with a move for Norwich City's Borja Sainz, with fresh reports detailing an eight-figure pursuit of the highly-rated winger.

That's according to a report from Spanish outlet fichajes.net, where it was reported over the weekend that Villarreal have displayed a "firm interest" in the Canaries star and are plotting a move accordingly.

Sainz appears set to leave Carrow Road this summer following a highly impressive 2024/25 Championship campaign, in which he returned 18 goals and four assists from 41 league appearances as Norwich finished in 13th position.

The 25-year-old, who was named in the Championship's official Team of the Season alongside fellow Canaries attacking star Josh Sargent, was on target in Norwich's thrilling 4-2 final day victory over Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon, in what may well have been his final game as a Canaries player.

Villarreal readying £11.5m transfer offer for Norwich City's Borja Sainz

As per the aforementioned update, Villarreal are preparing an initial €13.5 million (£11.5 million) package for Sainz, who is said to fit the bill of the Yellow Submarine's recruitment drive for younger talent.

It is likely that, considering Sainz's performances over the last 12 months, sizable add-ons would also need to be factored into this deal for Norwich to sanction a departure.

However, it has been separately reported by The Pink Un that Sainz is expected to leave Norfolk this summer ahead of the final year of his contract, with the winger's representatives having recently visited Norwich's Colney training base.

Sainz is also said to have interest elsewhere, with boyhood club Athletic Bilbao reportedly "long-term admirers" of the ex-Girensunspor attacker. Meanwhile, Galatasaray - who purchased Gabriel Sara from the Canaries just last summer - were linked earlier in the season and could well return with a fresh offer for Sainz.

Borja Sainz, Norwich City transfer exit feels inevitable

Sainz's contractual status, coupled with Norwich's failure to secure a play-off spot after finishing the previous campaign in sixth place, means that the exit door represents a seemingly-inevitable destination for the wide-man in the coming weeks and months.

Norwich are shrewd enough to know they simply cannot afford to run the risk of refusing a sale this summer only to lose a player of Sainz's quality, potential, profile and value for nothing this time next year, and it's unlikely he would agree to a fresh deal either.

Sainz has proven himself to be too good to continue playing second-tier football and the disappointing campaign Norwich have endured is sure to cost them when it comes to retaining prized assets, which could include Sargent too.

When you consider that Villarreal are on course to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League, it's rather difficult to envisage Norwich keeping hold of Sainz over the summer.